TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese esports legend Karsa (洪浩軒) announced his retirement Sunday (Dec. 28), ending an 11-year professional "League of Legends" career that defined a generation of competitive gaming. The 28-year-old player began competing in 2014 and helped establish the dominant Flash Wolves dynasty alongside star teammates Maple (黃熠棠) and SwordArt (胡碩傑). Karsa's decision marks the end of an era for Taiwan's competitive gaming scene.
Karsa's achievements include winning the 2018 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) championship and reaching the World Championship stage for six consecutive years. He contributed to Taiwan's silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games esports competition, representing his country on the international stage. His competitive form declined over the past two years, and as peers retired from professional play, Karsa decided to step away from competition permanently.
Karsa revealed in a video message he had contemplated retirement for years, especially after spending over two years on the bench in the Chinese LPL, the top professional league in China. The Asian Games competition reignited his passion for competitive play, but his subsequent performance with the PCS team CTBC Flying Oyster did not meet his own expectations, prompting him to reconsider his professional future seriously.
Despite his struggles, Karsa's admiration for Korean star Faker (李相赫) motivated him to join Talon and return to the World Championship stage this season. Karsa requested a position change and sought mental health support, including therapy and interactions with ChatGPT, to address his competitive challenges. Though he never achieved a world championship title, Karsa expressed gratitude to his mother and brother for their support and hopes to leave the competitive stage with a smile. ◼
